2013 gets off to a violent start in county

Published: Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 1:44 p.m.

Davidson County recorded one murder in 2012, and that was a grand jury indictment of a driver in a fatal car accident. But in the period of seven days this year, four homicides occurred: a shooting and stabbing in Thomasville a week ago, a murder-suicide on Tuesday due to gunfire in Arcadia and one just outside Lexington's city limits discovered Friday morning. Homicides may be a way of life in large cities, but violence thankfully goes against the norm in Davidson County. No matter what happens the rest of the year, the county will have a 120 percent increase from 2012 in homicides.

Law enforcement officers will tell you that violent crime is almost impossible to prevent. Many details don't come out until the cases go to court, so it's difficult at this point to draw too many conclusions to the violence that has taken place this January. Sheriff David Grice called the murder-suicide a domestic situation. Fewer details have emerged in the other cases. County residents certainly hope and pray the unusually violent January doesn't serve as a harbinger of things to come this year.

The Davidson County commissioners have a complicated relationship with Alcoa. At times the board seems to stand in opposition of the company's efforts to obtain a new 50-year federal license to operate four dams on the Yadkin River, but at other times they hold a warmer view of Alcoa. The commissioners voted Tuesday to support the Relicensing Settlement Agreement with Alcoa, which sets certain conditions for the operation of the dams and lakes on the Yadkin. The board's 5-2 vote also illustrates the differences of opinion that county residents feel toward Alcoa.

The fact a sweepstakes business and software manufacturer filed a lawsuit over the state's new prohibition on the games comes as no surprise. Lawmakers and courts also go back and forth on efforts to regulate the games. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office has taken an aggressive stance on the businesses, citing at least three for violating state law. The lawsuit names Grice, Gov. Pat McCrory and others, so once again the courts will weigh in on the sweepstakes industry.

The state library system no longer sponsors Quiz Bowl competitions, but the Davidson County Public Library has maintained the academic event. The 2013 edition took place Thursday at Davidson County Community College, with Central Davidson edging North Davidson in the finals. Four other schools participated. The library staff deserves credit for keeping the event alive locally and allowing students to show off their academic prowess much like athletes exhibit their talents in sporting events.

<p>Davidson County recorded one <B>murder </B>in 2012, and that was a grand jury indictment of a driver in a fatal car accident. But in the period of seven days this year, four homicides occurred: a shooting and stabbing in Thomasville a week ago, a murder-suicide on Tuesday due to gunfire in Arcadia and one just outside Lexington's city limits discovered Friday morning. Homicides may be a way of life in large cities, but violence thankfully goes against the norm in Davidson County. No matter what happens the rest of the year, the county will have a 120 percent increase from 2012 in homicides.</p><p>Law enforcement officers will tell you that violent crime is almost impossible to prevent. Many details don't come out until the cases go to court, so it's difficult at this point to draw too many conclusions to the violence that has taken place this January. Sheriff David Grice called the murder-suicide a domestic situation. Fewer details have emerged in the other cases. County residents certainly hope and pray the unusually violent January doesn't serve as a harbinger of things to come this year.</p><p>The Davidson County commissioners have a complicated relationship with <B>Alcoa. </B>At times the board seems to stand in opposition of the company's efforts to obtain a new 50-year federal license to operate four dams on the Yadkin River, but at other times they hold a warmer view of Alcoa. The commissioners voted Tuesday to support the Relicensing Settlement Agreement with Alcoa, which sets certain conditions for the operation of the dams and lakes on the Yadkin. The board's 5-2 vote also illustrates the differences of opinion that county residents feel toward Alcoa.</p><p>The fact a <B>sweepstakes business and software manufacturer </B>filed a lawsuit over the state's new prohibition on the games comes as no surprise. Lawmakers and courts also go back and forth on efforts to regulate the games. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office has taken an aggressive stance on the businesses, citing at least three for violating state law. The lawsuit names Grice, Gov. Pat McCrory and others, so once again the courts will weigh in on the sweepstakes industry.</p><p>The state library system no longer sponsors <B>Quiz Bowl competitions, </B>but the Davidson County Public Library has maintained the academic event. The 2013 edition took place Thursday at Davidson County Community College, with Central Davidson edging North Davidson in the finals. Four other schools participated. The library staff deserves credit for keeping the event alive locally and allowing students to show off their academic prowess much like athletes exhibit their talents in sporting events.</p>